January 8, 2013

Selfe, who went gray in her 40s, gave up coloring her hair and decided to let it grow.

“My hair is long now because it’s cheaper. I don’t have to do anything but put it in a topknot or a French pleat,” she said. “It avoids that old lady permed look, lengthens the neck and lifts the face.”

Part of the "cut and permed" old lady look is because oftentimes the hair thins and gets wispy... if she had thin wispy hair in that picture she'd look like a witch with a nice long neck.

And some of us, when we put our hair up in a bun, look like we've got a potato on our shoulders and no neck at all.

I agree with the botox statement, though. Maybe a light touch or a modest facelift, but some of these aging people look perpetually surprised (pelosi) or more or less like frankenstein's monster (a bunch of different movie stars).

Fabulous. I have long planned to let it grow, both hair and beard, when I am no longer professionally active. Also, I'll be getting the earring and gold tooth I've long desired. (One of my two front teeth is a cap and has been since I was 6. Until 20 I had a silver tooth there, so why not.)

She's right about botox and facial surgery. They are a waste of time and leave the face looking worse. Some women look better in short hair, though. She's fortunate she can just let hers go long and not worry about it.

Lovely and graceful. Good for her for not succumbing to youth enhancing surgery or injections.

As I am almost 61, I am rethinking the dark color of my hair, may have to go a shade lighter as the wrinkles deepen. I've seen very elderly ladies with dyed black hair and I'm no going there, too harsh. Also I fear letting my hair grow too long and resembling the wicked witch of the west.

As far as products, I've tried some of the night serums, bah, they are expensive and seem to do nothing but dry out my skin, a good moisturizer daily seems to keep my face from feeling like I have been in the desert.

I have had to completely revamp my makeup products, absolutely no powder of any sort (heads up younger ladies here) cream blush, tinted moisturizer only, cream concealer as usual. Waterproof mascara because my eyes have become sensitive to sunlight and water.

Had a career in which I had to wear suit and tie, short hair and no facial hair. But I always liked beards and long hair. Got a chance to retire early and immediately grew the hair and beard. I turned gray in my 30's. I decided early on – no dye jobs, no mousse, no sprays and no blow-drying. I have it cut well, takes probably all of ten minutes, blunt cut with NO "layering" or "thinning." Shampoo, conditioner, a bit of hair dressing(Albert VO) worked in while the hair is wet, 2 or 3 comb-outs as it air-dries and I'm set.

Here's the thing – when I looked "corporate," there was a different attitude from folks. As soon as I grew the hair and beard everyone became friendlier. Is it my own attitude since my appearance changed that is eliciting a friendlier response? Or is it because I have a less intimidating appearance? Or both? Or neither? No matter, the change is definitely there and the actual cause is unimportant. It's a friendlier world and I like it.

I think people are better off in their looks without plastic surgery – unless a deformity is involved. Afterwards they still look old and look weird on top of that. I will live with my wrinkles.

Obviously, vitamin A isn't just a hair vitamin, it is also needed for a number of other functions including normal growth of bones, skin, nails as well as the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres.